KR20170078966A - Touch panel and manufaturing mehtod thereof and display device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch panel, which is an embodiment of the present invention, includes a substrate, touch electrodes arranged in one direction on the substrate, and an upper buffer member disposed on the substrate, wherein the upper buffer member is disposed on the touch electrodes And a second buffer part which is disposed between the touch electrodes and overlaps with the touch electrodes in the one direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a touch panel, a method of manufacturing the touch panel, and a display device including the touch panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch panel, a method of manufacturing the touch panel, and a display device including the same, and more particularly, to a touch panel having improved durability against impact, a method of manufacturing the touch panel, and a display device.

A touch panel is an input device of a display, and typically includes a bank ATM, a navigation system, a mobile phone, etc., and inputs a command or graphic information designated by a user by generating a voltage or current signal corresponding to a position where a stylus pen or a finger is pressed .

The touch panel is divided into resistance film, electrostatic capacitance, surface ultrasonic wave conduction and infrared light type according to the technology of the sensing sensor. In recent years, among the flat panel display devices, the analog type resistive film type integrated with the liquid crystal panel and the capacitive type Touch panel is mainly used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch panel, a method of manufacturing the touch panel, and a display device including the same, and more particularly, to a touch panel having improved durability against impact, a method of manufacturing the touch panel, and a display device.

A touch panel, which is an embodiment of the present invention, includes a substrate, touch electrodes arranged in one direction on the substrate, and an upper buffer member disposed on the substrate, wherein the upper buffer member is disposed on the touch electrodes And a second buffer part disposed between the touch electrodes and overlapping the touch electrodes in the one direction.

The second buffer portion is provided in plurality, and each of the second buffer portions extends from the first buffer portion.

In the touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first buffer part and the second buffer part are separated from each other.

The upper buffer member absorbs impact from the outside and includes a polymer.

The upper buffer member is a dry film resist.

Further comprising a polarizer,

The lower surface of the polarizing plate and the upper surface of the upper buffer member are attached to each other by the adhesive member.

And a lower buffer member disposed below the substrate.

The touch electrodes include first electrodes for sensing a touch signal and second electrodes for receiving the touch signal and transmitting the touch signal to a driving circuit, and an insulating member for insulating the first electrodes and the second electrodes, And a connection bridge for connecting the two electrodes to each other, wherein the first buffer part is in contact with the connection bridge.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel for displaying an image, a touch panel disposed on the display panel, and a window member disposed on the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes a substrate, And a top buffer member disposed on the substrate, wherein the top buffer member includes a first buffer portion disposed on the touch electrodes, and a second buffer portion disposed between the touch electrodes, And a second buffer part overlapping the touch electrodes in the one direction.

The second buffer portion is provided in plurality, and each of the second buffer portions extends from the first buffer portion.

In the display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first buffer part and the second buffer part are spaced apart from each other.

The upper buffer member absorbs impact from the outside and includes a polymer.

The upper buffer member is a dry film resist.

The touch panel further includes a polarizer, and the lower surface of the polarizer and the upper surface of the upper buffer member are attached to each other by an adhesive member.

The touch panel further includes a lower buffer member disposed between the substrate and the display panel.

A method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes providing a substrate, forming touch electrodes to be arranged along one direction on the substrate, and forming an upper buffer member, A first buffer portion disposed on the touch electrodes, and a second buffer portion disposed between the touch electrodes and overlapping the touch electrodes in the one direction.

The step of forming the upper buffer member includes applying a buffer material on the touch electrodes, and curing the buffer material.

The step of applying the buffer material may include filling the space between the touch electrodes with the buffer material.

The step of applying the buffer material further includes planarizing the upper surface of the buffer material so as to be flat with the substrate.

Since the upper buffer member is disposed in a cured state on the upper surface of the touch electrodes, the upper buffer member absorbs the shock that can be transmitted from the upper side of the polarizer, and cracks that may be generated in the touch electrodes and the connection bridge due to external impact Can be prevented, and further, defects of the touch electrodes and the connection bridge can be prevented.

Also, since the upper buffer member is disposed between the adhesive member and the touch electrodes, it is possible to prevent corrosion of the touch electrodes, which may occur when the touch electrodes are brought into contact with a substance containing an acidic component flowing from the adhesive member have.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a plan view for explaining a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A 'shown in FIG. 2A.
2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B 'shown in FIG. 2A.
3 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6A to 6E are sectional views for sequentially explaining in accordance with the flowchart of FIG.

The present invention is capable of various modifications and various forms, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

 Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structures are shown enlarged from the actual for the sake of clarity of the present invention. The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by terms. Terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present application, the terms "comprises" or "having" and the like are used to specify that there is a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combination thereof described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, a film, an area, a plate, etc. is referred to as being "on" or "on" another part, it includes not only the case where it is "directly on" another part but also the case where there is another part in the middle . On the contrary, where a section such as a layer, a film, an area, a plate, etc. is referred to as being "under" another section, this includes not only the case where the section is "directly underneath"

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a window member WP, a touch panel 100, a display panel DP, and a bottom chassis BC.

In one example of the present invention, the window member WP may have a plate shape. The window member WP may be substantially transparent, for example, glass or a transparent polymer.

The window member WP may be disposed on the touch panel 100 so as to cover the touch panel 100.

The window member WP can protect the touch panel 100 and the display panel DP from an external impact.

The touch panel 100 may have a plate shape.

The touch panel 100 senses contact or hovering with an external object, generates a touch signal, and transmits the touch signal to a touch driver (not shown).

The display panel DP may be disposed below the touch panel 100.

The display panel DP may have a plate shape like the touch panel 100. A non-display area NDA and a display area DA can be defined in the display panel DP. The display panel DP may output an image through the display area DA using an applied power source and a video signal.

A bottom chassis BC may be disposed below the display panel DP.

A space in which the display panel DP is to be accommodated may be defined in the bottom chassis BC

The bottom chassis BC accommodates the display panel DP so that the display panel DP can be protected by absorbing impact from the outside.

2A is a plan view for explaining a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view cut along the line A-A 'shown in FIG. 2A.

2A and 2B, the touch panel 100 includes a substrate 101, touch electrodes TPP, an insulating member 102, a connection bridge 104, and an upper buffer member 105 .

The substrate 101 may have a plate shape.

The substrate 101 may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cyclo-olefin polymer (COP), glass, and lead-free polycarbonate , The substrate 101 may be a low retardation film.

The touch electrodes TPP may be disposed on the substrate 101.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel 100 may be driven by a capacitive method, but it is not limited thereto. The electrostatic capacitance method may include a self capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method.

In addition, although the touch electrode TPP is arranged in a single layer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is also applicable to a structure in which the touch electrodes TPP are arranged in a multi-layer structure Can be applied.

The touch electrodes TPP may include first electrodes RX and second electrodes TX.

The first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX may be alternately arranged on a plane. More specifically, the first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX may be arranged in a matrix on a plane.

The first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX may include ITO, AgNW, CNT, Metal Mesh, PEDOT, and Graphene.

The first electrodes RX may be electrodes for outputting a sensing signal and the second electrodes TX may be electrodes for applying a driving signal to the touch driver.

Although the first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX are shown as being rhombic in the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX May be not limited thereto.

Each of the first electrodes RX may be electrically connected to each other and each of the second electrodes TX may be electrically connected to each other.

Each of the first electrodes RX may be insulated from the second electrodes TX.

In more detail, the first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX may be isolated through the insulating member 102. [ The insulating member 102 may be interposed between the first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX.

The insulating member 102 may include an inorganic material.

The connection bridge 104 may be disposed on the insulating member 102. The connection bridge 104 may include a conductive material. For example, the connection bridge 104 may include a metal material such as molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and aluminum (Al).

The connection bridges 104 may be provided in plural as shown in FIG. 2B.

As described above, the connection bridges 104 may electrically connect the second electrodes TX arranged in the same row among the second electrodes TX.

In the present invention, the first electrodes RX arranged in the same column among the first electrodes RX may be electrically connected to each other without the connection bridges 104 by being directly connected to each other through a connection CP.

Both ends of the connection part CP may be connected to the first electrode RX, respectively.

The connection part CP may include the same material as the first electrodes RX.

The first electrodes RX arranged in the same column among the first electrodes RX and the connection unit CP may be formed as one body.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first electrodes RX may be electrically connected to each other by the same member as the connection bridge 104. [

An upper buffer member 105 may be disposed above the touch electrodes TPP. The upper buffer member 105 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2C.

The polarizing plate 107 may be plate-shaped.

The polarizing plate 107 functions to prevent reflected light incident on the polarizing plate 107 from being emitted in order to prevent external light from being incident on the polarizing plate 107 so that the light is reflected and visually recognized.

The lower surface of the polarizing plate 107 and the upper surface of the upper buffer member 105 may be adhered to each other by an adhesive member 106.

2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B 'in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the upper cushioning member 105 may include a first cushioning portion 105a and a second cushioning portion 105b.

The first buffer part 105a may be disposed on the touch electrodes TPP.

The second buffer part 105b may be disposed between the touch electrodes TPP.

More specifically, the touch electrodes TPP may be arranged along one direction on the substrate 101, and the second buffer portion 105b may overlap the touch electrodes TPP in one direction .

The second buffer part 105b may be provided in plurality and the second buffer parts 105b may extend downward from the first buffer part 105a to be disposed between the touch electrodes TPP. have.

The first buffer part 105a and the second buffer part 105b may include the same material. The first buffer part 105a and the second buffer part 105b may be formed as one body.

Specifically, the first buffer part 105a and the second buffer part 105b may include a polymer. The first buffer part 105a and the second buffer part 105b may include an organic material.

The first buffer part 105a and the second buffer part 105b may be a dry film resist. The dry film resist may be a filmed photosensitive resist and may include a material mainly used for circuit molding of a printed wiring board. The dry film resist may have excellent adhesion and flatness. The dry film resist may be cured in response to light.

The first buffer part 105a and the second buffer part 105b may include an insulating material and may isolate the first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX from each other .

The upper buffer member 105 is disposed in a cured state on the touch electrodes TPP so that the upper buffer member 105 absorbs an impact that can be transmitted from the upper side of the polarizer 107, It is possible to prevent cracks that may be generated in the touch electrodes TPP and the connection bridge 104 due to the impact and furthermore to prevent defects in the touch electrodes TPP and the connection bridge 104 .

The upper buffer member 105 is disposed between the adhesive member 106 and the touch electrodes TPP so that a material containing an acidic component flowing from the adhesive member 106 and the materials including the acidic components TPP The touch electrodes TPP can be prevented from being corroded.

3 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the upper cushioning member 105 'may include a first cushioning portion 105a' and a second cushioning portion 105b.

Compared with FIG. 2C, FIG. 3 may differ from FIG. 2C in that the second cushions 105b do not extend from the first cushion 105a '.

The first buffer parts 105a 'may be spaced apart from each other and provided in plurality. Each of the first buffer portions 105a 'may be disposed on the touch electrodes TPP.

Each of the first buffer portions 105a 'may be spaced apart from the second buffer portions 105b.

More specifically, each of the first buffer portions 105a 'may not overlap with the second buffer portions 105b in the vertical direction. Further, each of the first buffer portions 105a 'may not overlap with the second buffer portions 105b in the horizontal direction.

The remaining configuration is described with reference to FIG. 2C.

4 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Compared with FIG. 2C, FIG. 4 may further include a lower buffer member 108 below the substrate 101 shown in FIG. 2C.

The lower cushioning member 108 may include the same material as the upper cushioning member 105 described above. The lower cushioning member 108 may have a plate shape and may be arranged to be in contact with the lower surface of the substrate 101.

Since the remaining structure is the same as that of FIG. 2C, the description of the other components except for the lower buffer member 108 will be omitted.

By allowing the lower cushioning member 108 to be arranged as described above, it is possible to relieve the shock received from the set bracket or the bottom chassis BC (shown in FIG. 1) fastened to the lower side of the substrate 101 .

As a result, the lower cushioning member 108 absorbs external impacts as well as the upper cushioning member 105 described above, thereby preventing damage to the touch electrodes TPP.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6A to 6E are sectional views sequentially illustrating the flowchart of FIG.

5 and 6A, the substrate 101 may first be provided to fabricate the touch panel 100 described with reference to FIGS. 2A through 2C. (S11)

After the substrate 101 is provided, the touch electrodes TPP may be formed on the substrate 101. In operation S12,

Referring to FIG. 6B, the touch electrodes TPP formed on the substrate 101 may include first electrodes RX and second electrodes TX. The description of the first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX has been described above and will be omitted.

The first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX may be alternately formed in one direction on a cross section.

The first electrodes RX and the second electrodes TX may be insulated from each other.

The touch electrodes TPP may be patterned by forming an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer on the substrate 101 and performing a photo lithography process.

Next, a connection bridge 104 connecting the second electrodes TX may be formed. (S13)

Referring to FIG. 6C, the insulating member 102 may isolate the first electrodes RX from the second electrodes TX. The insulating member 102 may fill between the first and second electrodes RX and TX. The insulating member 102 may cover the first electrodes RX and may cover the edges of the second electrodes TX adjacent to the first electrodes RX.

The connection bridge 104 can be formed by forming a conductive layer on the second electrode TX not covered by the insulating member 102 and the insulating member 102 and patterning the conductive layer. The connection bridge 104 may be disposed on the insulating member 102. The connection bridge 104 may be in contact with the insulating member 102.

Both ends of the connection bridge 104 may be connected to the second electrode TX.

Referring to FIG. 6D, the upper buffer member 105 may be formed on the touch electrodes TPP as described above. (S14)

The upper buffer member 105 may be formed by applying a buffer material on the touch electrodes TPP and curing the buffer material. In one example of the present invention, the buffer material may be, for example, a polymer and may be cured by light or heat.

Next, the polarizing plate 107 can be disposed on the upper side of the upper buffer member 105 through the adhesive member 106. (S15)

Referring to FIG. 6E, the polarizing plate 107 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper buffer member 105 through an adhesive member 106.

The upper surface of the upper cushioning member 105 is adhered to the upper surface of the upper cushioning member 105 by using the adhesive member 106, As shown in FIG.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. . In addition, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, and all technical ideas which fall within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention .

101: substrate TPP: touch electrode
104: connection bridge 107: polarizer
RX: first electrodes TX: second electrodes

Claims (19)

Board;
A touch electrode arranged on the substrate in one direction; And
And an upper buffer member disposed on the substrate,
Wherein the upper buffer member includes a first buffer portion disposed on the touch electrodes and a second buffer portion disposed between the touch electrodes and overlapping the touch electrodes in the one direction. The method according to claim 1,
The second buffer portion is provided in plural,
And each of the second buffer parts extends from the first buffer part. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion are spaced apart from each other. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the upper buffer member absorbs an impact from the outside and includes a polymer. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the upper buffer member is a dry film resist. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a polarizer,
And the lower surface of the polarizing plate and the upper surface of the upper buffer member are attached to each other by the adhesive member. The method according to claim 1,
And a lower buffer member disposed below the substrate. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the touch electrodes include first electrodes for sensing a touch signal and second electrodes for receiving the touch signal and transmitting the touch signal to a driving circuit,
An insulating member for insulating the first electrodes and the second electrodes, and a connection bridge for connecting the second electrodes to each other,
Wherein the first buffer part is in contact with the connection bridge. A display panel for displaying an image;
A touch panel disposed on the display panel; And
And a window member disposed on the touch panel,
The touch panel includes a substrate, touch electrodes arranged in one direction on the substrate, and an upper buffer member disposed on the substrate,
Wherein the upper buffer member includes a first buffer portion disposed on the touch electrodes, and a second buffer portion disposed between the touch electrodes and overlapping the touch electrodes in the one direction. 10. The method of claim 9,
The second buffer portion is provided in plural,
And each of the second buffer portions extends from the first buffer portion. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion are spaced apart from each other. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the upper buffer member absorbs an impact from the outside and includes a polymer. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the upper buffer member is a dry film resist. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the touch panel further comprises a polarizer,
And the lower surface of the polarizing plate and the upper surface of the upper buffer member are attached to each other by the adhesive member. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the touch panel further comprises a lower buffer member disposed between the substrate and the display panel.
Providing a substrate;
Forming touch electrodes on the substrate so as to be arranged along one direction; And
And forming an upper buffer member.
Wherein the upper buffer member includes a first buffer portion disposed on the touch electrodes and a second buffer portion disposed between the touch electrodes and overlapping the touch electrodes in the one direction. .
17. The method of claim 16,
The step of forming the upper buffer member
Applying a buffer material on the touch electrodes; And
And curing the buffer material. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 11. < / RTI >
18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the step of applying the buffer material comprises filling the space between the touch electrodes with the buffer material.

18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the step of applying the buffer material further comprises the step of planarizing an upper surface of the buffer material so as to be flat with the substrate.

Images